Each Tuesday, starting at 7:30 am, an average of nearly sixty (60) Chamber business owners and guests gather at the High Park Tap House for business networking and delicious hot food (Daybreakers Networking Breakfast). Once checked-in at registration, attendees are free to mix n' mingle and get to know their fellow Chamber members and visitors on a more personal basis.

Starting at 8:00 am sharp, the president (currently Jan Miller, owner of 21-13 Impact Graphics) calls the meeting to order with the "pledge of allegiance" and then introduces the leadership group. This leadership group is responsible for registration check-in, greeting new guests, scheduling of presenters, keeping the meeting on-time, and providing regular updates on closed business and the number of 1-to-1 appointments that take place.

After the leadership group is announced, then our guests are introduced, with second-time visitors given one minute to introduce themselves. Next, the winner of the previous week's "best commercial" will enjoy one minute to talk about their business. Then the "winner" now has the esteemed privileged to judge this week's "best commercial" and award the trophy. Now begins the really fun part!

In systematic order, each attendee now has the opportunity to introduce themselves, their business, and what type of referrals they are seeking - all within 30-seconds! (if you hear the "bell", you know your 30-seconds is up and it's time to pass the microphone). After the "commercials" are completed and the winner is awarded, then two presenters will take turns speaking for 10-minutes. This is an opportunity to get an in-depth look at our speakers and their businesses. 

To conclude our networking breakfast, we share brief, positive expressions of closed-business and 1-to-1 visits with our fellow Chamber members. Then various Directors and the CEO will share pertinent information regarding the committees they represent and how this will impact the membership in a positive way. We also celebrate and give recognition to our many volunteers who work so hard on behalf of their fellow members.

In view of the foregoing, it's clear to see that the Mission Viejo Chamber is alive and active and provides their members and guests a weekly forum to gather and cultivate deeper business relationships, leading to referrals and closed business. 

Please enjoy some photos of our "Daybreakers" breakfast below. Also, here are a few quotes from some of our members and visitors who attend:

"I love the energy and enthusiasm in the room! These people really work hard to refer business to each other".

"Every week I meet new business owners in addition to the long-time members. This is a great opportunity to learn more about their company and how I can refer them business".

"You'll be hard-pressed to find another networking group in South County that meets weekly, a group of dedicated men and women in business who truly care about you"!

"I appreciate the tireless volunteer efforts of the Daybreakers Leadership Team, our Ambassadors, and our Directors. Kudos to them for all they do on our behalf".

"I never knew just how many marketing and networking opportunities the Chamber offers to help grow my business. Now it's on me to take advantage of them - and attending the weekly Daybreakers Networking Breakfast is one of the best ways I can do this".

For individuals that have never been associated with a Chamber of Commerce or might have questions regarding the benefits of becoming an active member - the weekly Daybreakers Networking Breakfast is the perfect opportunity to observe first-hand  how we make business happen in our community, yes it's the "front door to the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce"!

To learn more about how to join the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce, please click here. You may also speak with any of our Chamber Ambassadors (identified by their name badges) at "Daybreakers" or other events.

Please enjoy this brief Chamber Member Monthly Spotlight with Amanda Armstrong of Top Hat Balloon Werks​. 

Name: Amanda Armstrong, CBA
 
Business Name:   Top Hat Balloon Werks, LLC

Brief description of business: Top Hat Balloon Werks is your event décor specialist.  We offer customized event décor and deliveries for all special events and occasions.  

Doing business in Mission Viejo since:  1998

Chamber Member since:  2016

Favorite Chamber Member benefit: Daybreakers Networking Breakfast meetings

Favorite Chamber event and why: "Daybreakers" meetings, because they allow us to get to know our fellow chamber members better.  It’s fast-paced and they keep on schedule, (which is great since we all need to get back to work) 😉, but there’s always time to network before and afterwards and get to know other Chamber members on a more personal level.  Great place to see and be seen!  

I joined the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce because: I joined the Chamber because I wanted to expand my business referal network.  That way I can be more of a value to my business, my City and my customers.
 
The Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce has helped me and my business by: The Chamber has allowed me to expand my business network and has offered me the opportunity to show my fellow members what my business is all about and how I can help them with their event needs.   

On November 14th, several attendees from the Chamber (including Directors and Ambassadors) and City, State, and Federal governmental offices gathered to celebrate the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting for Chamber member - Elephant Signage & Display.

Kateryna Karasyk and her family welcomed with open arms (and lots of amazing food, beverages, and prizes) all attendees to their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting. 

We also thank Kateryna for her excellent volunteer efforts as an Ambassador and as part of the Daybreakers Leadership Team.

​Please enjoy the professional photos taken by Ildiko of Takata Photo & Design and once again we welcome Elephant Signage & Displays to Mission Viejo!

In March 2019, we had 14 Mission Viejo Chamber Ambassadors and each of them were assigned a minimum of 10-15 fellow Chamber members. It became increasingly challenging to keep up with one's assigned members.

So the call went out at a Daybreakers Networking Breakfast: "We are looking for a few more to volunteer their time as Chamber Ambassadors. Can you reach out for this esteemed privilege"? Within a few days, there were four (4) members that answered that call to join our Ambassador Committee.

Over the next several months to date, many more have "taken up the call" and are volunteering their efforts to serve their fellow Chamber members (thus reducing the number of assigned members per Ambassador). We now have 30 Ambassadors!

Chamber Ambassadors have the privilege in taking the lead to set up one-to-one appointments with their assigned members, provide them timely reminders of upcoming key events and networking opportunities (which can assist them to build closer relationships with other business owners and gain greater exposure for their own businesses), help them become familiar and proficient with the powerful website marketing tools that are available, and become a valuable referral source to each other.

We now take this time to welcome our two (2) newest Ambassadors, Caleb Ward (Modern Woodmen of America) and Kristen Frey (PKSA Karate MV)! For a complete list of the Ambassador Committee, please click here: www.missionviejochamber.com/committees.html. 

We encourage the general Chamber membership to really embrace your assigned Ambassador and thoroughly benefit from their volunteer spirit and enthusiasm! If you have any comments or questions regarding the Ambassador program, please send an email to our Ambassador Committee Chair, John Rodriguez (iFinance Mortgage), at ambassadors@missionviejochamber.com.

Thank you Mission Viejo Chamber Ambassadors for your good work - you are indeed on FIRE!

Many visitors come to our Chamber Daybreaker's Networking Breakfast on Tuesday's. After visiting twice, our guests generally decide whether or not the Chamber is a good fit for them and their business.

Director and Ambassador Chair, John Rodriguez (iFinance Mortgage) scheduled a one-to-one appointment with guest, Bethany Pryor (Bethany Pryor Photography) to see how she enjoyed her Daybreaker's experience. Bethany truly enjoyed meeting so many professionally-minded business owners who enjoy building long-lasting relationships and referring business to each other.

​Bethany plans on joining the Chamber now! Please enjoy this brief video interview giving us a little more information on Bethany's photography services. #mvchamber #missionviejochamber #missionviejo #powerofvideomarketing #onetoonesarevital

When new ones attend our Daybreaker's Networking Breakfast on Tuesday mornings, several Chamber and Board members take notice to warmly welcome them!

Today, John Rodriguez, of iFinance Mortgage, Ambassador and Board Member, spent a few minutes getting to better know Andrea Villegas, of ADP. She has attended twice now and plans on joining the Chamber in the next couple weeks after her travels.

John reviewed many of the benefits that we experience from our membership, including working hard to cross-promote each other's businesses. One excellent way is via brief video interviews when we meet one-to-one.

Please enjoy this brief video interview with Andrea and we look forward to officially welcoming her to our Chamber shortly. #mvchamber #missionviejochamber #networking #daybreakers #one-to-ones #videointerviews

Congratulations to Katie Averill, owner of Eat Street Kitchen, for winning today's "Best Commercial" at the weekly Chamber Daybreaker's Networking Breakfast. She even brought complimentary cinnamon rolls for all in attendance!

Mission Viejo Mayor Greg Raths was present and graciously congratulated Katie for her big "win" and confirmed the City's support of our small businesses.